Mitrice Richardson's father still holds out hope, despite remains found in Malibu

by KPCC Wire Services

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The father of missing woman Mitrice Richardson appeared on a talk radio program today and said he has not given up hope that his daughter is still alive, in spite of discovery this week of remains in a Malibu ravine.

"Nothing has been concluded," Michael Richardson said this morning the "Front Page," on KJLH-FM. "We're going to remain hopeful, prayerful and steadfast."

Richardson said he still had confidence the woman he spotted months ago in Las Vegas could be his daughter.

He also acknowledged that he and Richardson's mother, Latice Sutton, have nearly opposite views of what the Malibu remains could mean – but he said he respects Sutton's opinion.

"I'm just not the type to give up easily," Richardson said.

Sutton on Tuesday criticized the Sheriff's Department for leaking information to the Los Angeles Times that the remains found Monday might be those of a woman, saying she was disappointed she had to learn the information from media reports instead of hearing it privately from investigators.

The skull and bones were discovered when state rangers were searching an abandoned marijuana farm about 1 p.m. Monday in the unincorporated Monte Nido area in "treacherous terrain," Steve Whitmore of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said.

Sutton told reporters Monday, "I'm a little numb right now."

"I don't know what to think," Sutton said. "I have a lot of questions that I'm awaiting answers for. I definitely do not believe Mitrice is in Las Vegas. I do believe that Mitrice is in this area somewhere."

The area where the remains were found is in Malibu Creek State Park off the 25500 block of Piuma Road near Malibu Canyon Road, sheriff's officials said.

The remains were found about 30 miles from the sheriff's Malibu-Lost Hills Station, where Richardson was held by the Sheriff's Department and released last September. She hasn't been seen since.